Beyond the Surface: Delving into Toxic Adulterants in the Opioid Crisis

Needs Statement

The opioid use epidemic has been on the forefront of societal concerns in the US. With the DEA-MATE act, all providers must be able to adeptly prescribe and manage Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and related issues, which have proliferated. Treating teams face multiple challenges including need to treat chronic pain, over prescription of opioids and need for effective alternatives, and illicit use of opioids. The focus of this conference is pharmacological, psychotherapeutic treatments of OUD along with overviews of impact on families and children. We are proud to involve multiple community organizations that provide substance use treatments so attendees can have a comprehensive view of how to get patients effective OUD treatments in and out of the medical system. A main goal for the attendees is to be empowered and confident to initiate and/or maintain treatments for OUD.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• Describe the various adulterants commonly found in opioids and their associated risks.
• Review the motivations behind the adulteration of opioids.
• Identify clinical presentations that may suggest exposure to adulterants.
• Discuss and implement harm reduction strategies to reduce overdose from opioids and associated adulterants.
• Analyze the impact of opioid adulterants on the healthcare system.
  
  

Target Audience

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity has been designated by Baylor College of Medicine for 0.5 credit of education in pain management and the prescription of opioids.

Term of Approval

April 1, 2024 through April 30, 2026. Original release date: April 1, 2024.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.